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Engineering Insights

Welcome to the Colman Engineering blog, where we discuss industry trends, project highlights, and expert perspectives.

Nell-Marie holding a microphone and paper featuring Colman Engineering's purpose and values statements, speaking to an audience. Four people sit on stage; a fire chief is among them. Black curtain backdrop.

Nell-Marie holding a microphone and paper featuring Colman Engineering's purpose and values statements, speaking to an audience. Four people sit on stage; a fire chief is among them. Black curtain backdrop.

Helping Your Team Understand Its Clear Purpose

Last week at the 2025 Leadership Legacy Experience, I had the privilege of joining a panel discussion on how organizations can help their...

Nell-Marie Colman

7 minutes ago3 min read

A yellow measuring tape extends across green artificial turf, displaying measurements in feet and inches. Bright sunlight highlights details.

A yellow measuring tape extends across green artificial turf, displaying measurements in feet and inches. Bright sunlight highlights details.

Taking Rough Measurements, Wherever You Are

Ever found yourself needing to measure something, but you don’t have a tape measure or ruler with you? Maybe you're at a job site, in the...

Nell-Marie Colman

2 days ago2 min read

Group of people at a Colman Engineering booth, smiling, wearing badges. Table has brochures and branded items. Background has blue elements.

Group of people at a Colman Engineering booth, smiling, wearing badges. Table has brochures and branded items. Background has blue elements.

Why We Closed the Office Last Friday

We closed our office on Friday to attend the 2025 Leadership Legacy Experience—a full-day event at James Madison University, hosted by our friends at Dove Development & Consulting.

Nell-Marie Colman

4 days ago2 min read

How We Achieved Net Zero with Solar Panels at Colman Engineering

How We Achieved Net Zero with Solar Panels at Colman Engineering

How We Achieved Net Zero with Solar Panels at Colman Engineering

The Journey of Going Solar A little over three years ago, we installed solar panels at the Colman Engineering office. Our goal was to...

Nell-Marie Colman

May 192 min read

Deron reads papers outdoors in a sunny field near a large house. Bare trees and a bright blue sky create a calm, vibrant setting.

Deron reads papers outdoors in a sunny field near a large house. Bare trees and a bright blue sky create a calm, vibrant setting.

Why We Value Considering the Big Picture

It’s about understanding how today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s outcomes—for our clients, their neighbors, and the environment we all share.

Nell-Marie Colman

May 73 min read

Deron and Gil shake hands in an office cubicle, demonstrating "Treating Everyone with Respect."

Deron and Gil shake hands in an office cubicle, demonstrating "Treating Everyone with Respect."

Why We Value Treating Everyone with Respect

“Treating Everyone with Respect” isn’t just about being polite. It’s about recognizing the important role each person plays in a project and honoring that role.

Nell-Marie Colman

Apr 223 min read

Wes and Nell-Marie discuss Leading with a Clear Purpose during a Facebook Live interview.

Wes and Nell-Marie discuss Leading with a Clear Purpose during a Facebook Live interview.

Leading with a Clear Purpose: Interview #2

If "leadership" means caring for people, creating an environment where they can thrive, and moving everyone toward a shared purpose, then Nell-Marie is all in.

Staff Writer

Apr 155 min read

Two engineers in a meeting room review engineering plans on a table. One points to a site plan; papers and mugs are scattered around. Neutral mood.

Two engineers in a meeting room review engineering plans on a table. One points to a site plan; papers and mugs are scattered around. Neutral mood.

Why We Value Open Lines of Communication

Open communication means more than just staying in touch—it’s about creating a shared understanding, building trust, and avoiding surprises.

Nell-Marie Colman

Apr 92 min read

Wes Dove and Gil Colman sit down over videoconference to discuss Leading with a Clear Purpose.

Wes Dove and Gil Colman sit down over videoconference to discuss Leading with a Clear Purpose.

Leading with a Clear Purpose

Recently, Gil had the opportunity to sit down with Wes for a Facebook Live interview, discussing what it means to lead with a clear purpose.

Nell-Marie Colman

Mar 246 min read

Lush rain garden with tall grasses and shrubs under a clear blue sky. Houses and trees in the background create a peaceful suburban scene.

Lush rain garden with tall grasses and shrubs under a clear blue sky. Houses and trees in the background create a peaceful suburban scene.

Go Green for St. Patrick's Day—And for Stormwater!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today's the day for wearing green. But you can make green choices every day—especially when it comes to...

Nell-Marie Colman

Mar 173 min read

The Colman Engineering team, celebrating another successful year

The Colman Engineering team, celebrating another successful year

Celebrating 15 Years of Serving Our Community

The Colman Engineering team, celebrating another successful year during our 2024 Christmas Party. Fifteen years ago, Colman Engineering...

Nell-Marie Colman

Mar 141 min read

VMRC Campus in Harrisonburg, VA

VMRC Campus in Harrisonburg, VA

Hometown Highlights: Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC)

This week Colman Engineering would like to highlight the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC) and Foundation. Providing...

Staff Writer

Jan 4, 20221 min read

Steel bridge arches over lush green forest under a vibrant blue sky with scattered clouds, creating a serene and majestic landscape.

Steel bridge arches over lush green forest under a vibrant blue sky with scattered clouds, creating a serene and majestic landscape.

West Virginia Infrastructure Receives a “D” in First-Ever Infrastructure Report Card

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) just released its first-ever Report Card for West Virginia’s infrastructure, giving the...

Staff Writer

Dec 15, 20212 min read

Worker in a yellow helmet installs solar panels on a roof under a clear blue sky, focused and wearing a safety harness.

Worker in a yellow helmet installs solar panels on a roof under a clear blue sky, focused and wearing a safety harness.

Here Comes the Sun…Colman Engineering Catches Some Solar Arrays

If you drive past, or come visit the office, you may notice something a little different about the space. No, it’s not the team basking...

Staff Writer

Oct 1, 20212 min read

Dew-covered spider web on dry branches in a misty field. The morning light highlights the web, creating a serene and delicate scene.

Dew-covered spider web on dry branches in a misty field. The morning light highlights the web, creating a serene and delicate scene.

Returning to Nature: Bio-mimicry Advancements in Engineering

Conjuring an image of “nature” typically entails lush forests, deep canyons, sunsets over the horizon, or whatever your favorite...

Staff Writer

Sep 21, 20214 min read

Small pink flowers and green shoots growing through cracked asphalt, symbolizing resilience amidst a rough, dark surface.

Small pink flowers and green shoots growing through cracked asphalt, symbolizing resilience amidst a rough, dark surface.

Embracing the Wobble: The Paradigm Shift to Resilience Engineering

Reeling from yet another natural disaster of catastrophic proportions, the US looks to the challenges in the South with exhaustion,...

Staff Writer

Sep 3, 20215 min read

A river winds through a canyon with red rock cliffs under a clear blue sky. Lush green vegetation lines the riverbanks, creating a serene scene.

A river winds through a canyon with red rock cliffs under a clear blue sky. Lush green vegetation lines the riverbanks, creating a serene scene.

Mired in Drought, the West Faces New Water Resource Challenges

Water scarcity in the American West has historically been a contentious issue. In order to address growing water demands throughout a...

Staff Writer

Aug 20, 20213 min read

Fish leaping from a river, creating splashes in the water. Forested riverbank in the background under a clear blue sky.

Fish leaping from a river, creating splashes in the water. Forested riverbank in the background under a clear blue sky.

Using Water Turbulence Models to Predict Invasive Carp Movement

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific government agency spanning the disciplines of geography, geology, biology, and...

Staff Writer

Jul 13, 20212 min read

Thermal image of a city skyline with tall buildings. Vibrant red, orange, and blue colors dominate the night scene.

Thermal image of a city skyline with tall buildings. Vibrant red, orange, and blue colors dominate the night scene.

Using Reflective Surfaces to Address Urban Heat Pollution

As summer enters full swing throughout the United States—bringing with it record-setting heat waves, threats of power outage, and cases...

Staff Writer

Jun 28, 20212 min read

Cracked asphalt road with yellow lines, overgrown with weeds, surrounded by green and dry bushes. Hills and a cloudy sky in the background.

Cracked asphalt road with yellow lines, overgrown with weeds, surrounded by green and dry bushes. Hills and a cloudy sky in the background.

Uncovering Causes of Modern Concrete and Asphalt Deterioration

Concrete has dominated the modern construction industry since the start of its commercial manufacturing in the nineteenth century....

Staff Writer

Jun 1, 20212 min read

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